Speak up and save a High Peak charity

Lucy Ball

A charity that has been helping people in the Peak District for more than 30 years is asking for people to help save the service.

Voluntary and Community Services Peaks and Dales is potentially facing cuts from Derbyshire County Council and Clinical Commissioning Group.

Gill Geddes, chief executive officer said: “Whilst we understand that the Council and CCG needs to make savings, the impact of these cuts on vulnerable people in our community, if they go ahead, will be devastating.

“Unless we can find a way to plug the funding gaps, our services will be at real risk, or may even have to stop completely.

Alan Thompson, chair of trustees aid: ““We are so grateful for all the support we have had from the DCC and CCG over the years we just feel it would a terrible shame if we could not continue.”

As the county council are receiving less money from central government services have to be adapted or changed.

However, there is a consultation which will assess how important the provision is for service users.

Gill said: “I don’t think people realise just how many services we are part of.”

The charity not only provides a transport service to and from medical appointments at a low rate, but home maintenance , befriending scheme and home support.

Gill said: “When people are in our system and we realise they need more help in another aspect of their life we are better placed to help them.

“And early care at this levels stops people being missed and needing emergency care later on which costs more.”

Last year 231 volunteers donated 21,500 hours of their time to support the Befriending and Transport Services. Our services and helped 2000 people in the High Peak and Derbyshire Dales.

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for adult social care Councillor Paul Smith said: “We don’t think we can continue to fund all these groups to the same level we have done in the past, especially if we don’t have a legal duty to do so, but we won’t make any decisions about this until we hear what the groups themselves and individuals have to say.

Gill added: “The charity now needs your support. If you are a service user, a relative or friend of people who depend on VCS Peaks and Dales, or simply know how important their services are please take part in the County Council and the CCG surveys.”

To have your say visit derbyshire.gov.uk/vcs or northderbyshireccg.nhs.uk/patient_zone/get_involved/consultations .